1. Haven't been writing much, just woking with what I already have. Cut about 1k words from the first few chapters, have added about 3k back to later chapters from last month's massive surge.
2. This puts us halfway to being finished even if I very much don't feel like that at the moment! Have about 430 pages, so looking to be 800 page book, but we'll see how editing messes with it once that time is upon us.
3. Have a couple chapters still to read through, very much excited by how it's shaping up so far. I view writing a novel kind of like building a skyscraper. You push forward adding new floors but eventually mistakes and holes add up and that foundation just feels too shaky to add any more to it, need to go back and do some shoring up. Happens every five to six chapters and you just get paranoid, so better check it's not all about to crumble down around you!
4. I teared up a couple times reading through it. Who's a softie? This fucking guy!
5. Still waiting another 5 or so days before adding my books to Amazon Select, so if you have friends with Unlimited let them know the series will be available very soon.
6. As expected FM1 is no longer free. Haven't decided if I'll keep it at 3.99 or drop it lower, maybe even to 99 cents.
7. I final watched Silicon Valley on HBO. Holy fuckballs I haven't laughed like that for years.
8. Thanks to everyone who answered the fan survey here or by emailing me!
9. Reviews for Cap America 3 up and can't see for another month, so unfair! See, I know how it feels!
Can't believe you hadn't seen Silicon Valley yet!
ReplyDeleteDid you decide to get different covers done?
Yup, still trying to decide if the Blaine swot chart or the jerk off math are my favorite scene. Hard choice.
DeleteAs for covers, probably decide in June. Want to see what the old covers do in Kindle Unlimited plus run an ad first.
I think you might benefit from new covers in the sense that they don't signal what genre your books are in. Which may be what you want, but I remember when I first bought them being a bit confused about what kind of book I was looking at.
ReplyDeleteA sexy leather clad lady with a dragon behind her is very cliche, but I instantly know I'm working with urban fantasy.
On the flip side as a long time reader now I hate change and will rage if you change any tiny detail of my beloved series. But you already have me hooked I presume you want to get some new blood in the door.
Also on the positive side a lot of indie books have covers that I really don't like and work as an obstacle to me trying the book. With KHP I didn't have that problem.
None of this applies to the short story covers which I like a lot.
/end unsolicited opinion
I've actually used the covers as a warning to keep away less adventurous readers. I'm sure it's costed me sales and some possible fans, but the in your face graffiti style, so very different from what Big Five have decided for the genre, worked great to build cult following.
DeleteBut, yes, perhaps it is time to open things up and let the general public be aghast by the Foul Mouth.
I'd have to agree - nothing wrong with them per se, but they don't reflect the content/genre and might put people off if they are browsing titles. Personally I prefer the less-is-more approach, with something simple (and slightly cryptic) representing the series as a whole, but not much changing between them. Thus not needing much effort/outlay for each new book, not likely to put people off, and a bit classier than the standard scantily clad lady-dragon. Michael Grant's 'Gone' series spring to mind (although not for the content).
ReplyDeleteAlthough a scantily-clad lady-dragon with a graffitied spurting cock is probably more KH...
I guess it depends on what the new theme would be. I am not sure if I am ready to put a face on the characters yet.
ReplyDeleteProbably won't be character based. Will be no artist, just graphic design work. Kind of surprised I haven't seen more fan art as is with a few thousand fans for the series now.
DeleteMy German exchange son is a artist. Finally got him to start reading King Henry. Hope he would be inspired...
Delete